Tigress Zeenat Released in Similipal Core Area to Boost Odisha's Tiger Conservation

In a major boost to maintaining healthy tiger populations in the state, a tigress named Zeenat was released from her soft enclosure into the core area of Similipal Tiger Reserve in Odisha on Sunday.

The release took place at 9:30 PM and was confirmed successful by the Similipal Regional Chief Conservator of Forests (RCCF).

Zeenat, currently under 24-hour monitoring, is roaming about five meters away from the enclosure within the jungle, according to Prakash Chandra Gogineni, Director of the Similipal Tiger Project.

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The tigress was originally brought from Maharashtra’s Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve (TATR) on November 15 and was kept in a soft enclosure for 10 days. Nayak stated that despite staying slightly agitated for the initial two days, Zeenat soon acclimatized herself.

During her time inside the enclosure, the tigress even hunted prey and remained healthy. Following an inspection by the STR veterinary team, the tigress was given the green light to be introduced to the core area under the Northern Division of the Similipal Tiger Reserve.

“We opened the gates to her enclosure yesterday evening at about 4 pm. Being a shy tigress, she did not immediately come out of the enclosure but did so at about 9:30 PM. We have formed three teams working in different shifts and tasked with monitoring her,” stated Nayak.

The STR director also said that Zeenat carries a radio collar equipped with satellite-sensing technology to aid her monitoring.

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The introduction of the three-year-old tigress marks another step in Similipal's tiger conservation efforts. Previously, another tigress, Yamuna, was relocated from Tadoba-Andhari to Similipal on October 27.